Download - The hidden costs of college

The hidden costs of The hidden costs of CollegeCollege

Little did we know…Little did we know…

Or think? Or think?

Everybody living on campus needs a Everybody living on campus needs a tool box with…tool box with…

Screw driver-phillipsScrew driver-phillips Batteries-different sizesBatteries-different sizes

Screw driver-flat headScrew driver-flat head Flash lightFlash light

plierspliers Drop cordsDrop cords

Crescent wrenchCrescent wrench ScissorsScissors

Hammer-16ozHammer-16oz Ruler-straight edgeRuler-straight edge

Set of Allen wrenchesSet of Allen wrenches Wisk broom/dust panWisk broom/dust pan

Set of wrenchesSet of wrenches Pack of zip tiesPack of zip ties

25’ tape measure25’ tape measure 3m wall hangers3m wall hangers

Most dorm rooms have 2 wall outlets Most dorm rooms have 2 wall outlets and 2 light fixture outletsand 2 light fixture outlets

Multi-strip outlets with surge protectorMulti-strip outlets with surge protector Surge protectorsSurge protectors Drop cordsDrop cords Night lightNight light Light bulbsLight bulbs

Maybe this is enough outlets for you Maybe this is enough outlets for you

and your roommate?and your roommate? TelevisionTelevision 2 laptops2 laptops MicrofridgeMicrofridge 2 alarm clocks2 alarm clocks At least 2 lampsAt least 2 lamps 2 printers2 printers Curling ironCurling iron Hair dryerHair dryer XboxXbox

Do Do

YouYou

HaveHave

EnoughEnough

Outlets ?Outlets ?

Dorm roomDorm room What size bed do I have?What size bed do I have?• TwinTwin• Twin xlTwin xl• Are the beds loftable?Are the beds loftable?• If they are not lofted, where will I put stuff?If they are not lofted, where will I put stuff?• Do I rent a loft or do I buy a loft? Do I rent a loft or do I buy a loft? • Most colleges do not allow you to build a loft.Most colleges do not allow you to build a loft.• What if I want to loft, and my roommate does not?What if I want to loft, and my roommate does not?• How many sets of sheets do I need?How many sets of sheets do I need?• Pillows?Pillows?• Blankets?Blankets?• Comforter?Comforter?

How often do you want to wash clothes?How often do you want to wash clothes?

Do I have a window?Do I have a window? What size curtains do I need?What size curtains do I need? What type of curtain rod do I need?What type of curtain rod do I need? What color curtains?What color curtains?

Who gets the curtains?Who gets the curtains?

Do I need or want a rug?Do I need or want a rug?

What size rug?What size rug? What color?What color? What shape?What shape? As cheap as possible!As cheap as possible!

Who gets the rug?Who gets the rug?

Bathroom?Bathroom? Hall bathHall bathSomebody else cleans it.Somebody else cleans it.Hand soap and toilet paper supplied.Hand soap and toilet paper supplied.Less privacyLess privacy

Suite styleSuite styleYou and your suite mates clean the bathroom. You and your suite mates clean the bathroom. Who? When? What happens if they don’t do their part?Who? When? What happens if they don’t do their part?You stock the bathroom (hand soap and toilet paper)You stock the bathroom (hand soap and toilet paper)Is it really more private?Is it really more private?

Who supplies the needed supplies?Who supplies the needed supplies?

Items needed for bathroomItems needed for bathroom

Towels-How many?Towels-How many? Wash clothes-How many?Wash clothes-How many? SoapSoap Shampoo/etcShampoo/etc Toilet paper if suite styleToilet paper if suite style Bathroom basket to carry itemsBathroom basket to carry items

Again,Again,How often do you want to wash clothes ?How often do you want to wash clothes ?

Items needed for dorm roomItems needed for dorm room

Microfridge- toilet paper-Microfridge- toilet paper-

Bed loft- light bulbs- Bed loft- light bulbs-

Vacuum cleaner- trash can-Vacuum cleaner- trash can-

Items needed for dorm dormItems needed for dorm dorm

Futon- Lamp-Futon- Lamp-

Television- Laundry basket-Television- Laundry basket-

Wall Clock Alarm ClockWall Clock Alarm Clock

Before college startsBefore college starts

Application fee-sometimes it is waivedApplication fee-sometimes it is waivedIf not, usually $35-$50If not, usually $35-$50

Admission fee once accepted-$250Admission fee once accepted-$250 Dorm room deposit-$150Dorm room deposit-$150 Parking-$134 a yearParking-$134 a year

Some can be over $300 a semester Some can be over $300 a semester

Orientation for student / 2 parents-$325Orientation for student / 2 parents-$325 Hotel room for orientationHotel room for orientation Post office box-Do you need one? They cost!Post office box-Do you need one? They cost!

Health plan costs:Health plan costs:

You are lucky if you are covered by family.You are lucky if you are covered by family. Most universities have coverage at a cost.Most universities have coverage at a cost. Individual health plans…not always the Individual health plans…not always the

cheapest. cheapest. You will need a basicYou will need a basic

first aid kit. first aid kit.

incidentalsincidentals Late night snacksLate night snacks Trash canTrash can Laundry bag/basket Laundry bag/basket Is laundry included, or do you pay?Is laundry included, or do you pay? Clubs, fraternities & sororities, dances, excursions, Clubs, fraternities & sororities, dances, excursions,

parties, trips, concessions at ball gamesparties, trips, concessions at ball games Laptop computer & printerLaptop computer & printer Calculator-TI-84 or newerCalculator-TI-84 or newer Transportation to and from schoolTransportation to and from school Lab feesLab fees Books-do not order until you are sure you need them. Books-do not order until you are sure you need them.

(rent when possible to save $) (rent when possible to save $)

There is hope!There is hope!

Have a plan!Have a plan!

Don’t get caught Don’t get caught

flat-footed!flat-footed!

Hidden Costs-What can we do?Hidden Costs-What can we do?

If you are lofting beds for numerous years, it If you are lofting beds for numerous years, it may be cheaper to purchase the loft. may be cheaper to purchase the loft.

If possible, purchase the loft used, use it for If possible, purchase the loft used, use it for the years you need it, and then resale it. the years you need it, and then resale it.

Hidden costs-What can we do?Hidden costs-What can we do?

Is a microwave and refrigerator provided?Is a microwave and refrigerator provided?

If not, do I rent or purchase?If not, do I rent or purchase?

If needed multiple years, look at purchasing a If needed multiple years, look at purchasing a microfridge off of ebay or craigslist.microfridge off of ebay or craigslist.

When you finish, sell it!When you finish, sell it!

Hidden costs?-What can we do?Hidden costs?-What can we do? You may want to keep your books concerning You may want to keep your books concerning

your major, but others you may need only for your major, but others you may need only for the semester.the semester.

Buy used books that you will keep.Buy used books that you will keep. Rent books that you do not want to keep.Rent books that you do not want to keep. Resale books that you have purchased, but do Resale books that you have purchased, but do

not want to keep, to other students, not to the not want to keep, to other students, not to the bookstore on campus.bookstore on campus.


Will I be commuting?Will I be commuting? Do I need a car at school?Do I need a car at school? If so, how often will I come home?If so, how often will I come home? If I do not have a car, how will I get home?If I do not have a car, how will I get home? Carpool as often as possible, and share Carpool as often as possible, and share

expenses.expenses.


Is tutoring available?Is tutoring available? Is there free tutoring at school?Is there free tutoring at school? Is there a charge for tutoring?Is there a charge for tutoring? Ask other students and professors for Ask other students and professors for

reccomendations.reccomendations. Can we tutor? What? When?Can we tutor? What? When?

Hidden Costs-What can we do?Hidden Costs-What can we do?

Set a food budget. How often will I eat off Set a food budget. How often will I eat off campus?campus?

While students have enough meals provided While students have enough meals provided through their meal plan to survive, realize that through their meal plan to survive, realize that sometimes they just want to eat out with sometimes they just want to eat out with friends. friends.

Sometimes, they just want Sometimes, they just want

something different to eat.something different to eat.

BeBeFrugal!Frugal!

BeBeConscientious!Conscientious!

BeBeThrifty!Thrifty!